Ever gone to church with a man in a loincloth? Or a western mountain man in buckskins? An 18th century parson and women in petticoats, stays, and caps? Neither had I. Until this past Sunday.
Sunday's early church service at the event was quite an eclectic gathering but it was still a lovely service.
The man in the loincloth was portraying a Roman centurion. Loincloths are common at events, but his was the most modest I've ever seen.
He told us later that normally he would not be wearing a shirt but for modesty's sake and to respect that he was in church, he slipped one on. Nice man and very devoted in his faith (despite those knives that he wielded later. Hah!)
Sundays are always much more relaxed and less hectic in living history events. Getting out of our hotel was a different story - all the hotel's computers were down and needing to be rebooted. A line began to form, but the manager just let me hand in my key and go, thank goodness.
I learned a nifty trick this trip - hook the handle of your suitcase over the arm of the walker and the walker will easily pull it along, leaving a hand free for other things!
On Sundays you have more time to interact with those around you.
Long time friend and tinsmith Chris Hagemann came over for a visit.
About an hour later, Linda, Chris's wife came around to say hello. Lovely people who came all the way from Nebraska!
Saturday afternoon it was clear that I did not have enough maple cakes to get through Sunday's sales. My supplier was at the event and I asked if he had any more that I could buy, but he did not.
The last two maple cakes sold just before noon. I have none for Feast in October. I hope my supplier can make another batch for me. (He is an older gentleman and is having health issues; we shall see.)
Two interesting stories about maple cakes...
- Saturday a woman came by and argued about price - she thought I wasn't charging enough. ($1.50 each.) She claimed that I should sell them for at least $5 apiece and maybe even $7! No idea who she was or why she thought that, but I am not going to charge that much for them.
- A gentleman had a sheepish grin on his face as he asked me for several pieces. As I put them into a bag, he confessed that he had given up sweets for Lent. "But I'm okay," he assured me. "I have a cheat day once a week and this week I am having maple cakes!" And off he went, bag in hand. Allrighty then! LOL
Rick brought some of his trade beads to sell. See the feather beads second from left? And the watermelon beads third from right? So, so lovely.
Speaking of beads, I had a near disaster with my Ouiatenon cross on Sunday. It was my mother's and with its connection to her and to Fort Ouiatenon, I treasure it.
I was helping a customer when I felt something slide down my front. Quickly I grabbed whatever was falling and was dismayed to see that it was the cross! The old jump ring holding it had broken; had I not felt the cross go and caught it, most likely it would've been lost forever.
There were other near disasters/issues over the weekend. Friday evening and night the whole area was on the watch for tornados and storms. (We had high winds, but luckily no tornados.) Then, on Sunday, we were inundated with snow! (Which melted before everyone had to pack up and leave the building, thank goodness.)
An outdoor cigarette disposal can in the parking lot caught fire but fortunately was quickly put out. And a man had a diabetic issue in one of the Expo halls and caused a bit of a stir as he was given aid. (He was okay and back the next day.)
When you have more time to chat with folks, you find out all kinds of things. One thing I learned was that there were vendors there from 18 states including Vermont, Connecticut, New York, Missouri, Texas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, and more!
Three horsey ladies: Carol (aka "Maggie") who had Halflingers that she used to drive, me, and Millicent, an author from Vermont with horses that have shown on the big circuits.
Maggie had to go help a customer so we ended up taking a second photo without her - Leslie is an experienced horsewoman, too. (She is celebrating her retirement from leading the show by wearing a crown.)
All too soon, the show was over. I don't have a time lapse of take down, but I had help packing up and we were done and ready to go within an hour.
Once again, Gretchen had to attend the wrap-up staff meeting which meant I was there, too.
Leslie insisted that I be in the staff photo but I declined. Ethan, who is the new owner of the show, came over to my walker, held out his hand and said quietly, "Please come." And so I did. (I'm on the far left.)
